Countdown to Extinction - tracking the final lottery slot

Around this time of year I often map out all of the teams close to us in the standings, and see who needs to win/lose what games for us to get into the playoffs (no, there is no point many years.)

This year, with all the anticipation for the draft class of 2012, i've been anxiously watching who loses!

As it stands today:

1. Charlotte: 7-50. Bottom spot, but it's so rare that the team with the most balls actually gets #1.
2. Washington: 14-44
3. New Orleans: 16-42
-That's the bottom three, with almost 100% certainty. After that, there is a glut.

My prediction is that we lose all of the remaining games. AB and Jose should be shut down. I'm comfortable with 4th spot.

“The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.” - Martin Luther King

Jersey should never win in a million year. The only team that should win it after the raps is maybe the bobcats or pistons because they are pretty down right now.

dont say never. who wouldve thought the cavs would end up with two top 5 picks. they just botched it.
the trend seems to be that the usual first 2 worst teams dont end up getting the 1st pick, so hopefully we get lucky this year.
id rather have the 2nd pick tho and pick MKG.

I don't buy the conspiracy theories. Since they have gone to the system they are currently in, I find it impossible to see any rigging. But maybe that is because I lack critical thinking skills..... who knows?

We can also say that if New Orleans wins it is rigged as they appear to have found a new owner.

I don't buy the conspiracy theories. Since they have gone to the system they are currently in, I find it impossible to see any rigging. But maybe that is because I lack critical thinking skills..... who knows?

We can also say that if New Orleans wins it is rigged as they appear to have found a new owner.

I don't buy the conspiracy theories. Since they have gone to the system they are currently in, I find it impossible to see any rigging. But maybe that is because I lack critical thinking skills..... who knows?

We can also say that if New Orleans wins it is rigged as they appear to have found a new owner.

dont say never. who wouldve thought the cavs would end up with two top 5 picks. they just botched it.
the trend seems to be that the usual first 2 worst teams dont end up getting the 1st pick, so hopefully we get lucky this year.
id rather have the 2nd pick tho and pick MKG.

top 5 picks in a bad draft. Irving is top 10 in the current draft. Tristan top 20.

Its gone all suspiciously quiet in Jordan's camp for sometime. Bobcats to get #1? Hornets have a good chance too with the new ownership. Washington and Sacremento have young rosters with nice pieces. If teams like golden state end up winning the top 5 I would be furious. They have a good team already and they are tanking. I wish toronto had David Lee, Steph curry and Bogut.

This is the starting lineup I want to see for the remaining games: Gray , Davis, JJ, Demar, Dentmon. We are bound to lose every single game with that lineup. We increase the trade values of JJ, Davis and Demar.

top 5 picks in a bad draft. Irving is top 10 in the current draft. Tristan top 20.

Its gone all suspiciously quiet in Jordan's camp for sometime. Bobcats to get #1? Hornets have a good chance too with the new ownership. Washington and Sacremento have young rosters with nice pieces. If teams like golden state end up winning the top 5 I would be furious. They have a good team already and they are tanking. I wish toronto had David Lee, Steph curry and Bogut.

This is the starting lineup I want to see for the remaining games: Gray , Davis, JJ, Demar, Dentmon. We are bound to lose every single game with that lineup. We increase the trade values of JJ, Davis and Demar.

Don't be so sure. Have you seen the lineups of the other "tanking" teams? It has become quite ridiculous. This year, motivation to tank is high because AD is a franchise talent, and there aren't any others. Also, I think the talent does drop off quite a bit after the top 6. If you are drafting #7 or lower you have to hope that things work out with a player with a lot of question marks (like PJ3 or T. Jones).

This is the starting lineup I want to see for the remaining games: Gray , Davis, JJ, Demar, Dentmon. We are bound to lose every single game with that lineup. We increase the trade values of JJ, Davis and Demar.

That might be the worst starting 5 since the aftermath of the Mighty Mouse era. They've fielded some crappy lineups but that is just awful. I'm not sure if you traded that entire unit you could get more than a couple late second round picks. This season needs to end cause it's getting way too depressing.

I don't buy the conspiracy theories. Since they have gone to the system they are currently in, I find it impossible to see any rigging. But maybe that is because I lack critical thinking skills..... who knows?

We can also say that if New Orleans wins it is rigged as they appear to have found a new owner.

That's interesting. I was always under the impression (apparently false) that an NFL owner wasn't allowed to own another sports team. Well good for New Orleans! Never liked having the NBA controlling a team, leaves the impression that there is a conflict of interest.

As for "rigging" the draft, it appears to be next to impossible given the number of people witnessing the selection of the lottery balls in the back room. I think Doug Smith did it a few years ago, but Stern is an Evil Genius.